Chapter 8 — The Ōtsutsuki Clan: Devouring Their Own Kind?? A Terrifying Race
As Naruto Uzumaki's chakra continued to drain, his expression gradually twisted, as if he had fallen into a nightmare. His breathing grew uneven, his vitality slowly ebbing away…
Yet Kaguya showed no sign of stopping.
Sensing that something was wrong, Kakashi's gaze sharpened. Just as he was about to step in—
Whoosh!!!
A violent surge of crimson energy erupted from Naruto's body, bursting outward like a tide.
It was chakra… but in a visible, almost tangible form.
The entire room was instantly swallowed by that scarlet aura, oppressive and suffocating.
That was—
The Nine-Tails' chakra!
"The Nine-Tails' chakra!?" Kakashi's eyes widened in shock. She had actually triggered the Nine-Tails inside Naruto?!
Just what kind of existence was she?
"Such monstrous chakra… coming from that dead last? What exactly is he…" Sasuke's voice was low, his face filled with disbelief.
That surging crimson power… what was it?
The so-called "dead last"… had always been hiding this?!
His two-tomoe Sharingan locked tightly onto Naruto, yet even with it, he felt his chest tighten. Under that overwhelming pressure, a trace of fear crept into his heart.
"Enough—stop!!" Kakashi ordered immediately.
They absolutely could not allow her to continue.
If this went any further, the consequences would be disastrous.
As the crimson chakra poured outward, Naruto's previously depleted reserves began to recover, gradually filling again.
Not only that—after being completely drained, once restored, his chakra seemed to expand slightly, becoming even more abundant than before.
Only then did Kaguya finally withdraw. She nodded faintly, clearly satisfied.
She was full.
The tension that had been lingering between her brows eased, and for the first time, she looked genuinely at ease—almost content.
Meanwhile, Naruto's strained expression slowly relaxed, his breathing returning to normal.
Seeing this, Kakashi and Sasuke both let out a quiet breath of relief.
However, Sasuke's gaze remained fixed on Naruto, heavy with thought.
Just what kind of secret was this "dead last" hiding?
"Now that you're satisfied, can you explain what I asked earlier?" Kakashi said, his tone steady.
Kaguya looked at the two of them and hesitated.
Should she tell them?
She had already promised… but if she didn't, would they attack her?
And then… stop her from feeding?
After thinking for a brief moment, she made her decision.
"My name is Ōtsutsuki Kaguya. I come from a powerful clan beyond this planet—the Ōtsutsuki Clan."
"Beyond this planet?" Kakashi and Sasuke both froze.
That explained it—the falling light, her sudden appearance, and everything about her that felt utterly out of place.
"You mentioned earlier refining people into pills. What exactly does that mean?" Sasuke asked, his eyes sharp.
"That is a unique ability of the Ōtsutsuki Clan," Kaguya replied calmly. "We can refine members of our own clan into energy fruits, or devour what you call chakra and condense it into pills. That's… essentially how it works."
"It strengthens an Ōtsutsuki's power and also replenishes energy."
"Hiss—!"
Kakashi and Sasuke both inhaled sharply.
What kind of clan was this…?
Growing stronger by devouring their own kind?
Even Sasuke—who had always been obsessed with gaining power—felt a chill run down his spine.
"Don't worry—I would never do that to him. I promise!" Kaguya said, patting her chest lightly.
Even if he was… extremely tempting.
"..."
"You should stay away from Naruto from now on," Kakashi said, pressing a hand to his forehead.
"Ah? Why?" Kaguya's expression immediately turned disappointed.
"For Naruto's safety. And since you need chakra, soldier pills are still an option," Kakashi replied.
Kaguya's face fell slightly. She cast a reluctant glance at Naruto.
Wait…
If I can't do it openly… I can just do it secretly, right?
I really am a genius.
"Why do you have the Byakugan?" Sasuke suddenly asked. This had been bothering him from the start.
"That is something unique to my clan. Every member possesses it," Kaguya replied, puzzled.
Why ask something so obvious?
So it really was unrelated to the Hyūga Clan…
"Let's go. Let Naruto rest. Don't wake him," Kakashi said.
The two of them turned and left. As for Kaguya, she silently made up her mind—
Next time, she would be more careful.
She absolutely couldn't get caught again.
...
Dawn gradually broke.
"WAAAHHH!!!"
With a loud shout, Naruto suddenly rushed over to Kakashi, his face pale.
"Kakashi-sensei, you've got to save me!"
"That dream last night—it had to be real! There's an evil spirit trying to catch me!"
Kakashi felt a headache coming on. "Calm down. Start from the beginning."
"Look, Kakashi-sensei! I got bitten by a ghost!" Naruto stretched out his arm, revealing a neat row of bite marks.
"Uh…"
Kakashi paused, unsure how to respond. Seeing Naruto's panicked expression, he couldn't help but find it a little amusing.
"You'd better be careful at night. I did sense… something unusual," he said deliberately.
Naruto's face turned green instantly, cold sweat forming on his forehead.
By "unusual"… did Kakashi-sensei mean… a ghost?!
He was terrified of ghosts!
"What's going on? Why is Naruto so energetic today?" Sakura asked curiously after waking up.
"Probably got scared by a 'ghost,'" Sasuke said casually, his gaze subtly flicking toward Kaguya.
Kaguya: "..."
"Honestly, Naruto… ghosts don't even exist. What are you so afraid of?" Sakura said, speechless.
Meanwhile, Sasuke remained silent, recalling the crimson chakra that had erupted from Naruto the night before. His expression grew serious.
What exactly… was that power?
...
Land of Ancestors
Inside a grand hall—
"So beautiful… no matter how much I think about it, it's never enough… Kaguya… my Kaguya…" The Emperor stood alone, lost in his fantasies.
That nearly flawless face filled his mind again and again.
No matter how much he imagined it… it still wasn't enough.
He truly wanted to—
But in the next moment, a sharp pain shot through his lower body. A faint, lingering ache reminded him of what had happened the night before. His expression twisted instantly.
"It must be that brat! To dare do something like that to me… you've chosen death!" the Emperor said coldly.
He was certain he hadn't misheard that voice.
It had to be that fox-like boy.
Very well.
Excellent.
You've caught my attention.
"That uncultured brat… just wait. Once I've recovered, I'll make you—"
"Damn it! Guards! Get in here! I'm bleeding—protect me!!"
…
As night approached once more, Kaguya resumed her plan.
This time, she was determined to act in complete secrecy.
No matter what—
She would not be caught again.